Gold is Tried by Fire

Introduction during the Golden Jubilee of Sr. Mary Michael Orbita, OSB
May 4, 2017
St. Benedict Priory
Ulas, Davao City

We are gathered here today to join our golden jubilarian in thanking the Lord for the gift of 50 years in the monastic profession: Why do we have to measure our lives with stones? “Silver or gold or diamond is used to measure one’s fidelity” says Bishop Jacinto Jose.

The loud cry of a baby girl broke a silent night of April 29, 1944 in Kapalong, Davao del Norte. The couple Teodoro and Primitiva Lapuz Orbita gladly welcomed the second of their six children even if the whole nation was still experiencing the pains and havoc brought by the on- going 2nd World War. She was Christened Angelina because for the couple, she was an angel of peace sent by God to them in the midst of bombings and air raids everywhere. The young Angelina helped her mother in taking care of her younger siblings. It was a common scenario that time to see her with her bicycle for family errands. In one of those errands she met the Benedictines and this paved the way for her to go to Vigan where she studied at St. Benedict Institute and eventually entered the Abbey on August 19, 1967 and was given the name, Sr. Mary Michael to put herself under the patronage of St. Michael, the Archangel. Indeed, as a young junior, she was an angel for those aspirants from Davao who went to Vigan to enter. She used to be their companion in the boat bringing them to Manila and then to Vigan.

A multi-hyphenated sister, she did a lot of connections with the people during the construction of this building in 1974- 1975. Going to the market used to be a whole day affair because when she sees people in need of medical attention she still brings them to the hospital and go from one doctor to the other to assure the patients of proper medical attention before she comes home with the goods she bought. She was also assigned in the pastoral ministry of San Pedro Cathedral Parish and Mary Mediatrix Parish in Digos. She did a lot of legal appointed sub- prioress of Calapan Priory. Those who meet her for the first time have the impression that when she talks as if she knows you for a long time. This is her special charism: easily feeling at home with people and allowing people to easily feel at home with her.

A cancer survivor, Sr. Mary Michael boosts the morale of those who experience difficulties due to bodily discomforts. She understands them as she walks their terrain. For us she is a PMAyer not because she is a cadet of Philippine Medical Academy but because she is a person who has a POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE. This is the secret of longevity even if people have thought that she has gone to the Father for a long time. She is very much alive and we join her today during the Eucharistic celebration after a few minutes.